Spring Rolls My Mothers Recipes

FRESH SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Cook vermicelli noodles in boiling water, for just a few minutes, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Gather all topping ingredients together, including chopped veggies, herbs, cooked shrimp.
• Add about 1 inch of water to a large, deep dish, or pie pan. Place one rice wrapper into the water and let soak for just 10-15 seconds. It should still feel pretty firm as you remove it and lay it on your counter or plate.
• (It will soften up as you add the filling ingredients, but If you let it soak for too long it will get too soft and will tear when you roll it up.)
• Layer 1-2 slices of each veggie, a few shrimp, a few leaves of each herb and a pinch of noodles on the 1/3 of the spring roll that is closest to you.
• Fold the sides of the spring roll in over the ingredients. Then pull the side closest to you up and over the ingredients, sealing everything together tightly, and rolling it up like a burrito.

SPRING ROLLS

Steps:

• Make mayonnaise: Put the egg yolks in a large mixing bowl and whisk well. Begin adding the oil to the yolks a few drops at a time, whisking constantly to emulsify. Continue adding the oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly, until all the oil is incorporated. The mixture should be very thick. Whisk in the salt and set aside.
• Slice the shrimp in half lengthwise; set aside. Thinly slice the pork against the grain; set aside. Trim lettuce at either end so that the remaining leaves are about 7-8 inches long; set aside.
• Fill a large bowl with hot water. Dip one sheet of rice paper a quarter of the way into the water, then quickly rotate to moisten the entire sheet. Lay the wet rice paper on a cutting board (lightly oiled, optional). Lay one lettuce leaf over the bottom third of the rice paper, flattening the lettuce to crack the rib; on top of the leaf, layer a generous teaspoon of mayonnaise, about ½ cup of noodles, a few slices of pork, and three mint leaves. Fold in the left and right sides of the rice paper; fold the bottom edge up and over and roll tightly toward the top edge, completely enclosing the filling. Line up three pieces of shrimp, cut side up, in a row on the rice paper, then continue rolling as tightly as possible toward the top edge, tucking in the sides, until you have a firm cylinder. Repeat with the remaining rice paper and ingredients. Cut each roll crosswise into thirds just before serving. (Note: The rolls can be made up to 2 hours in advance. Cover with a damp towel until cutting and serving.)
• For the peanut sauce: In a food processor, grind the peanuts to a chunky powder. Add smashed garlic cloves, miso, ketchup, sugar, lemon juice, and chilies to the peanuts; continue grinding, adding a bit of water to even out the consistency. Add the cooked rice; continue processing, thinning with water as necessary, until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Check the flavor, then add the stir-fry sauce and sesame oil and continue processing to combine. Transfer into a bowl. (Note: Peanut sauce can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)